Spring and Summer Forecast

I feel it coming and it's going to explode. Well, maybe not EXPLODE, but if you're smart and fashion forward, you'll hop on this.

Floral.  

But not just any floral. Floral with a stark white background. Like the dress in the middle which is actually not a good representation. I'm not sure about the gauzy-ness which you'd think would go with spring.  Naw, the fabric I see is a much more study cotton, and the style is a more traditional A-line. Something a woman in the 50's would wear.

Oooh, look at this link I found!!  It's a perfect picture of the look!  Spring floral

The next thing I'm going to say is a delicate one.  Like polka dots and stripes together, only the savviest of the savvy should attempt it.  Some will try, most will fail and be talked about.

Tie-Dye

I've seen it too many times EVERYWHERE for it to not be the hot thing for the season.  I'm trying really hard to conjure up how to be fly in it... Maybe a tank-top with minimal colors??  I can't get with the rainbow brite look... 

IDK, I'll make it a project with my class and we'll see how it looks!

Happy Shopping

P.S.

Wow.  I went to this jean site and look what showed up for women. I knew I was onto something...  it's still ugly.  Maybe the rainbow would be a better look IF you dare to try.

Cowboy Hash

I had been wanting to try this recipe since I saw it in one of the Rachael Ray books I bought myself for Christmas at the crazily low price of $5 each. Those books never go on sale so I snapped them up with the QUICKNESS even though I was supposed to be buying gifts for others. It had to be done. The cowboy hash was DELICIOUS!! For the spices we used cayenne pepper, salt, black pepper, cumin, oregano, rosemary. All yummy. I would have used a touch less cayenne but Mr. Hot Food Rashan loved it. We even made the fresh salsa and included the juice of two limes which made it so unnecessarily full of love. Look! The eggs are in the front and oh yeah we subbed chorizo for the bacon in the hash. The salsa is in the back.

Funeral Attire

I've heard two points of view.

One
It's a celebration, a homegoing party. Wear your brightest colors cause the pain and suffering of living in this world is over. Now the good life begins in heaven.

Two
Its a time a mourning. The world has lost an angel. Black or navy for the somber occassion.

Which side do you take?

Patterns for Life

My favorite restaurant growing up was Pizza Hut. Looking back to those days when reading 10 books got you a personal pan pizza, I was there at least twice a month. Anyway, knowing who I am now, I probably loved that place because of two things:

the Tiffany style lamps over every booth (okay, the ones I went to didn't have the names all over them)

and

the gingham tablecloths on every table


I mention these with particular interest in the latter.

As a person who's wardrobe consists of solid dresses, pants, and shirts in different colors, there are 3 patterns I do own.

Leopard (and I have that dress in pink)
Zebra
Houndstooth
(thanks Xpress for expanding my wardrobe)

The one fabric I love the most and for some weird reason do not own, is gingham. It is so refreshing and springy. So fun and easy. In the QG I got yesterday, there was a spread in homage to the pattern of my youth. Paired with a solid tie, gingham is the way to go for spring. And since we're on the subject of patterns for seasons, gon head and get your lumberjack plaid this winter. Thank me later.

Shrimp, Glorious Shrimp

How I wished I liked you.  You're so pretty.  Cooked and uncooked.  But I don't like the way you taste.  I don't know why but I don't.  I really wish I did.  When I see you in dishes or on tv, I say, mmm that looks good!  I will eat you and I don't hate you, but I want to like you.  Or even love you.  You make my life sad, shrimp.  Why do you do it?  Please stop.

Thanks.

I'm Having A Moment!!!

I'm sitting here listening to songs from the first Carl Thomas cd on youtube. I LOVE THE INTERWEB!! I'm seriously sitting here crooning with my eyes closed! To the thief who stole this cd along with all FIVE 112 cds, curses to you! Curses I say!!! *shaking fist*

"Emotional" Yes!


"Summer Rain" Indeed!!


Thank ya!

"And what the fcuk is that smell?!??!"

name that movie. extra credit to whoever gets it first. 1/2 extra credit to second place.


So. I'm at the mall returning/exchanging some things I got for my dad on Father's Day. Seeing how I had a lil extra cash in my stash, I look down at my toes and figure I need a pedi.

*I wish I took a 'before' pic. They -no lie- looked like I kicked rocks with no shoes on. what had happened was, I tripped on a shoe and ran my toes into the dresser, therefore breaking nails and chipping polish*

I go to the resident asian spot for manis, pedis, and waxes. been there before and had no problems...

Why did I get the world's oldest man to do my feet?? no lie, I think he invented mahjongg. and y'all know that Asians be up there in age...

he.took.for.ev.er! It was really the world's longest pedicure. and its not like I had anything to do today so i was pressed for time. No, I was leisurely walking the mall and a pedi was an afterthought; not on my to do list!! argh he took so long! My thing is, don't be trying to get Grampa out the house and have him doing nails... let him play checkers in the park!


next observation

ghetto women and their nails.

*sigh*

I don't think Revlon, Maybelline, or any other cosmetic companies make blue or neon green nail polish anymore. Its the ghetto brands like wet n' wild that come out with these colors to this day, and abet women in maintaining their ghetto stance in society.

That sounds like a thesis.

Now I will admit, I was a fan of the ghetto fab nails at one time. when? when I felt the need to exert my south Florida presence at a school in southern virginia. I did the marble, checkerboard, glitter and ice on the nails. But... they were NEVER blue or green. Not even purple. i was 18 years old; at the oldest 19. Those were the years I got my 1st and last tattoos to give you a time frame of where my mind was at at that time... young, dumb, *shoulder shrug*. I had no bills and could spend my money on whatever I wanted. Which brings me to my point.

why are you 24 with 2 kids and you're getting designs on ALL your nails like that's what's up?? I KNOW how much those things cost so yes, I'm looking at you like you're stupid.
"Ummm, can I get planet earth on my pointers, dollar signs on my ring fingers cause the man i'm gonna marry better have money, OWW! silver and gold and purple marble on my middle fingers and an iced out tip on my thumbs?"


next point

nasty feet.

Oh Lord, I had the screw face on when this lady came in talking about her " extra thick cuticles".

Ma'am, cuticles don't wrap around to the top of your nail.

Then she tried to play it off saying, "i've been getting my feet done for as long as I can remember so I don't know where this is coming from! Although, I did try and cut some off the top"

So do you get your feet done or do you torture your own feet at home? The asian chick was like, "yeah, they look... inflamed. But cuticle is only at the base of the nail bed so whatever was at the top of your nail must have excess skin"

Y'all. If you saw what I saw...

are there varicose veins in your feet?
what about crows feet?
i didn't know white people get ashy?
if a nail is not quite opaque clear, isn't that a sign of something more serious??
if there is no nail to file, should you bother telling the person, "oh I don't want them cut"? I think she knew that already!

white women.


needless to say, I won't be going to the nail shop at the mall anymore. too much riff-raff, not enough pros.

Cooking with Jameil

Here's the night I went to town with the food. Chicken thighs marinaded in a mojito marinade from Whole Foods, white rice and black beans topped with fresh salsa. I was not a fan of the marinade. You know how marinades permeate your food. This one had a bit too much of something. What, I'm not quite sure yet since this was a while ago. At least it looks pretty. And everything other than the chicken was good. I couldn't get enough of the beans.

No Wonder I Love It!!

Rachael Ray is the most fabulous person in the world!! Did you know oregano means joy of the mountain? She just told me that. NO WONDER I LOVE IT SO MUCH!! It is seriously my favorite spice. I put some fries in the oven and went to put salt, pepper and oregano on them and though I just re-arranged my spices (yes, there are that many) after cooking late Saturday night, I COULDN'T FIND IT.

I won't lie.

I panicked.

What?! It was scary! That is seriously my favorite spice and I will put it in every single dish. Even eggs. You know how some people are about hot sauce and ranch dressing? Ketchup and oregano. But oregano goes really well with ranch dressing, too... omg... I just had an epiphany. Ranch dressing, hot sauce, s&p, oregano on fries... there are no words. I'm tempted to go through the 25 minute fry cooking process again just to experience that. That's what the weekend's for, folks. Big plans. LMAO! Why do managers use the word "folks" so much? It's so disingenuous. I've gotten used to team but folks? Especially in the north. Stop it.

Back to business. So after frantic moving around of spices, Worcestershire sauce and Pam, I found the oregano tucked in the back. PHEW!!! Praise God for that one! No really. After chastising it for being so far back, I caressed the bottle a bit and sprinkled liberally on my fries. And just now upon hearing what oregano means, I know it is kismet that I love it. Loosely translated, my name means "beautiful light from the mountain." *throws down mic*

Mediterranean Chicken Crepes

I wasn't sure what I'd get at S.quare Cafe today until I was waiting for my church homie and I looked down at the specials board. And there it was. Chicken, kalamata olives, onion, capers, mushrooms and red pepper in a lemon white wine sauce wrapped in three golden crepes. Love. Love on a plate. Absolutely marvelous. Simply divine.

Afterwards we walked to this vintage store. FABBBBBBBBBBUUUUUUUUUULLLLLLLLLOUS brooches!! NEED! And a cute hat, too. But I thought they were a bit overpriced. $50 for costume jewelery and $38 for a used hat? Especially when I bought 3 hats for $12 in the parking lot across the street last summer. (Oh and since it's Derby Day, let's talk about how I have a new "need" for the new year. A fabulous Derby-esque hat and not necessarily by her, but I wouldn't complain.) Yeah right, sir. I should've haggled with him. Maybe next time. I'll have to catch him on a Tuesday morning when they're slow. It's a recession, honey. It's time for you to come up off some of that merchandise. "You can do it, you got it in you. No eggs... no baloney!!" :) One of my fave movies.